40 Years. 100% Planning Success. Here’s How.

In this episode, Paul Higgs, founder of the Millbank Group and Millbank Land Academy, reveals exactly how he’s maintained a 100% success rate in securing planning permissions over the past 40 years. Paul shares the lessons, strategies, and mindset that have helped him win planning applications time and time again — even when it meant winning at appeal. From understanding planning law to mastering off-market deals, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone serious about property development. Whether you’re a seasoned property developer or just starting out, you’ll gain invaluable advice on planning strategy, land value, and development success straight from one of the UK’s most experienced developers. Links and Socials LinkedIn: ⁠  / paul-higgs⁠   Millbank Land Academy: ⁠https://www.millbanklandacademy.co.uk⁠ Instagram - ⁠  / paulhiggsofficial⁠   YouTube - ⁠   / @insidepropertydevelopment   The Property Development Scorecard https://millbanklandacademy.scoreapp.com This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to Inside Property Development Paul introduces the episode and reveals how he’s achieved a 100% planning track record over four decades. 00:35 – Why You Need a Planning Strategy The importance of having a clear planning strategy before you even start a project. 01:05 – From Small Refurbs to Major Developments How Paul went from simple renovations to full-scale new builds and planning applications. 02:10 – The First Planning Lesson (and a Near-Refusal) Paul’s early experience in 1986 that taught him the value of understanding planning policy. 03:40 – Discovering the Power of Planning Knowledge How studying planning law and attending committee meetings changed the trajectory of his career. 05:05 – Why Planning and Land Are the Keys to Profit Understanding how planning adds real value in property development. 06:10 – The Development Scorecard Paul’s free tool to help developers assess and improve their current development process. 07:30 – The Secret: Doing the Planner’s Job for Them How to reverse-engineer your application, predict objections, and give planners everything they need to say “yes”. 09:15 – Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Refusals Why attention to detail and collaboration with consultants is critical to success. 11:10 – Building the Right Team The importance of expert consultants and why developers must still understand the process themselves. 12:40 – Planning Is Not a Game for Amateurs How inexperience and poor strategy can cost you time, money, and deals. 13:50 – The Development Insider Scorecard How to test your planning and development knowledge to find your weak spots. 14:45 – Final Thoughts Paul’s summary: “Do the planner’s job for them — make it easier for them to approve your application than to refuse it.” #propertydevelopmentlondon #ukpropertydevelopment #propertydevelopmentuk #ukpropertydeveloper #propertydeveloperuk